Dear Friends, 

I hope you are enjoying the holiday season! I had a lovely Hanukkah with my family, and my heart aches for the families that could not be with their loved ones this year. 

I am grateful for the return of some of the hostages who were being held, and I am heartbroken over the deaths of other hostages. I continue to keep those who are still in captivity in my thoughts. I pray for their speedy release, for the elimination of Hamas and the safety of the State of Israel, an end to the killing of civilians, and for a path to long-lasting peace.

Closer to home, Governor Kathy Hochul signed two pieces of legislation I sponsored: the first requiring camps and youth sport programs to implement plans for access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in case of cardiac emergencies; the second increasing protections for consumers of long term care insurance. I also announced legislation to establish the Office of Flood Mitigation and Prevention, which I am eager to pass this year. Read more about both laws and the new legislation below 

I also continued my statewide education tour to learn more about the outstanding work our educators and school districts are doing to support our students. More about my trips is below.

As always, if there is anything my office can assist you with, please email me at smayer@nysenate.gov or call (914) 934-5250.

Warm regards,

Shelley B. Mayer

State Senator

37th District

Mayer Bill Signed to Require Automated External Defibrillator Implementation Plans for Camps and Youth Sports

I am very pleased that New York has taken action to keep children and spectators safe by requiring camps and youth sports programs to develop a plan for AED access at youth sports practices, games, and other events. According to the Mayo Clinic, between 1 in 50,000 and 1 in 80,000 young athletes die of sudden cardiac arrest each year, but outcomes can be improved when CPR and AED response occur within three minutes. This legislation will make these programs safer and provide parents and young athletes with peace of mind. 

I thank Dana Colasante and Alice Schoen, my constituents,  as well as Westchester Medical Center for their advocacy on this issue and for their continued work to ensure children at play are safe. I am proud to have fought for this legislation alongside them and Assemblyman Otis, and I thank Governor Kathy Hochul for signing it into law.

Senator Mayer and Assemblymember Burdick Increase Protections for Long Term Care Consumers with New Law Signed by Governor Hochul

New York is taking an important step to protect consumers of long term care insurance. Long term care insurance was supposed to provide a lifeline to New Yorkers who need care as they age. Instead policyholders have been forced to decide between accepting unaffordable premium increases, reducing their benefits, or dropping their coverage altogether. New customers are offered only expensive policies with diminished benefits. While I continue to advocate for structural changes to the way long term care is provided to New Yorkers, this bill will provide needed transparency to prospective customers and policyholders and ensure they have a voice when rate increases are reviewed. I want to thank Assemblymember Burdick for his partnership on this bill and Governor Hochul for signing it.

Protecting Credit Card Users

I am pleased that a bill I proposed and passed, alongside Assembly Member Nily Rozic,  in 2021 has finally gone into effect this past week. Now, consumers will be protected from losing the rewards they have earned on their credit card accounts without any protection or warnings after their cards are closed. For many people, a sudden loss of rewards can amount to the loss of a significant amount of money. Individuals will now receive notification and a  grace period to use their rewards when an account is being closed, thereby increasing transparency for all New Yorkers and ensuring earned credit card rewards can be used. Now, you can save up credit card rewards without fear of unexpected termination causing the loss of those rewards.

Announcing Legislation to Establish Office of Flooding Prevention and Mitigation

I was pleased to stand at the Community Resource Center in Mamaroneck with Senator Pete Harckham, Assemblyman Steve Otis, and many local leader and flood-impacted residents to announce legislation I have introduced with Assemblymember Catalina Cruz to create a cabinet-level State Office of Flooding Prevention and Mitigation.  The Office of Flooding Prevention and Mitigation will help provide municipalities, counties, and individuals with the tools they need to tackle the scale of the work ahead. Sen. Harckham also introduced complementary legislation to ensure there is adequate funding for flood mitigation projects in the state. We will push for both bills to pass this year!

My Statewide Education Tour Continues!

It has been a busy couple weeks as I continued my statewide education tour. I had a great time touring Merrick Union Free School District and Center Moriches School District on Long Island. We were fortunate to observe the impressive work being done to support children’s mental health and to promote social and emotional learning. I also toured two schools in Buffalo – the William J. Grabiarz School of Excellence, where I was happy to learn of the work they are doing to keep class sizes small and engage families; and the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, where I was impressed by their dedicated and talented students and staff . This past week I visited PS207 in the Bronx and JHS189 in Queens as part of my statewide education tour. I was impressed by the work PS207 is doing to strengthen their students' reading and writing skills through small group work and targeted support. I also enjoyed speaking with JHS189's student government about their experiences in school and ideas for their community. I thank the Superintendents, teachers, and district leadership for welcoming us to your schools.

Speaking at Harvard Kennedy School “Plan C” Panel 

I was honored to join a panel discussion on medication abortion access at the Harvard Kennedy School, prior to a screening of “Plan C,” a documentary that highlights abortion restrictions and medication abortion access in the United States. 

In the wake of the Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade, I am proud that New York State stepped up, along with Massachusetts, to ensure women living in other states were not abandoned and have the bodily autonomy they are entitled to. This year, I was proud to sponsor legislation that authorizes licensed New York healthcare professionals to provide care via telehealth, including medication abortion, to women in other states. We must stay focused on what individual states can do and encourage voter action on this issue.   As the Supreme Court considers the FDA’s long standing approval of this medication in a case recently accepted, we will be on full alert for the impact of any decision on this legislation.

Food Drive to Benefit Feeding Westchester

I am overwhelmed with joy by the amazing generosity of our neighbors and friends, who together donated 878 pounds of food – equivalent to 732 meals – to Feeding Westchester during our food drive. I extend my gratitude to my Youth Advisory Council for their work on the drive and to all those who donated. 

Being Honored at White Plains Youth Bureau’s Grandpa’s United Annual Breakfast

I am proud to be honored during the White Plains Youth Bureau’s Grandpas United Fourth Annual Awards Breakfast. The mentorship these grandfathers provide is so important and their connections with young people in our community can instill positive memories that last a lifetime. It was a delight to see so many friends, including Carola Otero Bracco, Executive Director of Neighbors Link. Thank you to Dr. Jim Isenberg, Co-Founder of Grandpas United, and Frank Williams, Jr., Executive Director of the WP Youth Bureau for your work and for this honor. Congratulations to the other honorees: Ron Claiborne, Captain James Spencer, Marty Kleinman, and Paul Schiffman.

Securing Funds for United Hebrew of New Rochelle 

I am very proud I could secure $100,000 in state funding to update the kitchen equipment that will aid in cleaning and infection control at United Hebrew of New Rochelle. Together with my colleagues NYS Assemblyman Steve Otis and NYS Senator Nathalia Fernandez, we presented Rita Mabli, President and CEO of United Hebrew, with a total of $325,000 for updates and improvements to this wonderful facility that provides outstanding support to so many seniors and others needing care in Westchester.

Speaking During the Westchester Multicultural Gala

I had a terrific time at the Westchester Multicultural Chamber gala. Westchester County’ leadership and business community is rich in culture and it is important that we take time to celebrate and appreciate the successes around us. Thank you to the Chamber and Charlene Nixon for her leadership. Congratulations to the honorees!

Meet and Greet in Eastchester 

I had a great time in Eastchester talking with Garth Road residents along with Assemblymember Amy Paulin. I was happy to answer questions and discuss the work being done to increase civic education and engagement, increase transparency for coop shareholders, address the increasing effects of climate change, and more.

I was pleased to host a terrific and substantive conversation with my Veterans Advisory Council. I consider it essential to stay in communication with the veterans of District 37, to hear about their concerns and to share information with them. If you are interested in joining the Council, you can sign up here.

Join the Youth Advisory Council

The Youth Advisory Council is a group of young people, aged 14-25, who advise Senator Mayer on issues of importance to young people and undertake initiatives that reflect their own priorities. It is a chance to make sure YOUR ISSUES are heard by your State Senator! To join, fill out an application before December 26. Scan the QR code on the flyer to access the registration form.

Port Chester Job Fair for an Emerging Economy

Certified MBE company Soulful Synergy and the Village of Port Chester are hosting the first-ever Port Chester Job Fair for an Emerging Economy on Friday, January 19. This event will bring much-needed information to the village and surrounding communities on how residents can prepare for emerging job opportunities in industries like clean energy, cannabis, hospitality, healthcare, technology, and more. Other partners include the New York State Department of Labor, Westchester-Putnam Career Center Network, Port Chester/Rye NAACP, the Carver Center, and the Port Chester Youth Bureau.

When: Friday, January 19, 2023, from 3:30 - 7 p.m.

Where: The Carver Center Gymnasium, 400 Westchester Ave, Port Chester, NY 10573.

To register: https://tinyurl.com/2024CareerFair

Hochul signs legislation aimed at keeping kids safe from cardiac emergencies

Governor Hochul Signs Legislation To Protect Consumers From Power Outages And Other Emergencies During Storms

Plans for AEDs required for camps and youth sports

Panelists Discuss Abortion Pill Access, ‘Plan C’ Documentary at Harvard Kennedy School Forum

Free Bus Rides For the Holidays

Great news for holiday season travelers and shoppers: Bee-Line bus rides will be free between December 16 and January 1. The ParaTransit system will be free between these dates as well. This will be the second consecutive holiday season with suspended fares, and Westchester County Executive George Latimer hopes the free bus rides will ease financial strain on Westchester residents. 

The Bee-Line system is the second largest bus fleet in New York state after the MTA, with over 3,300 stops and almost 60 routes. All Bee-Line shuttles and buses are accessible for the mobility impaired, and more than half all Westchester residents are within walking distance of a Bee-Line bus route.

Help The Northeast ADA Center Build More Disability-Inclusive Workplaces

The Northeast ADA Center is conducting a research study to identify emerging workplace flexibility policies, practices, and ADA Title I implementation strategies that support workers with disabilities. Your input will help them develop targeted information and training materials. If you are Interested in participating in this study on flexible workplace policies and practices, email sv282@cornell.edu or visit NortheastADA.org/workplace-study.

New York State Police Accepting Applications for the Trooper Entrance Exam

The New York State Police are now accepting applications for the next Trooper Entrance Examination. Applications will be accepted until March 4, 2024, with testing available until March 17, 2024. The exam is offered in a computerized format at multiple sites throughout New York State and in centers throughout the country, as well as at 101 military locations worldwide. Candidates may choose a testing center location, date and time that is most convenient for them. Visit www.joinstatepolice.ny.gov to learn more about the process, the qualifications, and how to apply to become a New York State Trooper.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps eligible New Yorkers heat and cool their homes. The 2023-24 Regular HEAP benefit is now open. To find out if you qualify, visit otda.ny.gov/programs/heap or call 914-955-3333.

Fire Safety in High-Rise Buildings

A fire in a high-rise building need not be any more dangerous than a fire in a single-storey home, provided residents know what actions to take to keep themselves and their families safe. The Yonkers Fire Department and its members in the Yonkers Uniformed Fire Officers Association and Yonkers Firefighters Local 628 have compiled this comprehensive set of instructions for high-rise residents, with specific advice for what to do if:

• There is a fire in your apartment
• There is a fire somewhere else in the building
• You are in the hallway
• Smoke enters your apartment

Keep this flier handy in case of emergencies. Above all, make sure you know the locations of all available exit stairs in your building, and don’t forget to call 911!

News from the NYS Department of Labor:

Valuable Tax Credits Available

Businesses in District 37 can take advantage of a number of tax credits that help cut costs and make hiring easier:

• The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) offers employers up to $2,400 in federal tax savings for hiring individuals with barriers to employment.
• The Workers (with Disabilities) Employment Tax Credit (WETC) offers $2,100 in state tax credits for businesses that employ people with disabilities who currently receive vocational rehabilitation services.
• The Federal Bonding Program provides six months of no-cost fidelity bonding coverage to businesses that hire eligible job seekers.

You can find a complete list of tax credits and funding opportunities on the Department of Labor website.

Office of State Senator Shelley B. Mayer

235 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 400

White Plains, NY 10605

Phone: (914) 934-5250

Email: SMayer@nysenate.gov